Congressman Lantos did earn such a heroe’s farewell by his peers, countrymen, dignitaries and world celebrities.

He was a unique legislator in more than one sense. He had only one master: his passion for human rights.

Undoubtedly, the fact he was a Holocaust survivor whose life was saved by the Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, had a long-lasting impact on his personality and his career.

Lantos was committed to preserve the legacy of his savior and to fight any phenomenon that might lead to another Holocaust.

Tom Lantos died in his prime. In his 80 years, having accomplished an endless list of achievements, he remained as alert and passionate as a teenager. And yet, he died with an open wound: not knowing what has really happened to Raoul Wallenberg.

Together with Baruj Tenembaum – a distinguished Argentinean Jew devoted to multicultural and interconfessional dialogue, Tom was the co-founder of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation. In this capacity, he made a vast contribution to the educational programs of this NGO and strived to secure answers from the Russians about Wallenberg’s fate and whereabouts, following his abduction by the Soviet forces, 63 years ago.

Tom Lantos was a towering figure. The world shall remember him as a champion of human rights.

We, his friends at the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, shall remember him as a father, as a friend. We shall do our best to carry-on his message of love and peace.

Nieves Nasjleti
The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation

Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who was abducted by the Soviets 63 years ago, has given us the gift of 100,000 lives. Each life is a whole world, but today we should focus on the remarkable life of Congressman Tom Lantos, who passed away a few days ago. Lantos, a Holocaust survivor, was one of the 100,000 lives saved by Wallenberg. Imagine the US Congress without Lantos. It would be fair to say that Lantos’ relentless and passionate struggle for the cause of human rights was inspired by his personal savior. The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, the NGO Lantos co-founded together with the Argentinian humanist Baruj Tenembaum has for a mission to develop educational programs based on the legacy of Wallenberg and to help secure answers about his fate and whereabouts. The void left by Tom cannot be measured, but we, his friends at the Foundation, shall do our utmost to keep his legacy alive.

Evelyne Noama
The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation

Rep. Tom Lantos was a singular figure in the political landscape.

As a Holocaust survivor who was saved by the Swedish diplomat – Raoul Wallenberg, it would be fair to say that these two facts have marked his political lifelong path.

Tom Lantos was a relentless and passionate defender of human rights. He was similarly passionate when it came to educate the younger generations about the lessons of the Holocaust.

Some 10 years ago, together with his Argentinean friend, Baruj Tenembaum, Lantos has co-founded the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, an NGO devoted to preserve and divulge the corageous legacy of Raoul Wallenberg and the other saviors of the Holocaust.

Tom Lantos never forgot his debt to Wallenberg. Back in the 80’s he was responsible for sanctioning the bill that granted US honorary citizenship to his savior and more recently he was the first dignitary to sign our campaign – ”100,000 names for 100,000 lives” which demands from the Russians credible answers regarding the fate of Raoul Wallenberg, who was kidnapped by the Soviets, 63 years ago.

Lantos was also the driving force behind the special tribute paid by the US Congress to Baruj Tenembaum, for his lifelong contribution to dialogue and understanding beyond religion and cultural barriers.

Congressman Lantos died at the age of 80, but he was still young in spirit and fully committed to his just cause. Unfortunately, he did not live long enough to see Raoul Wallenberg back home.

Tom has left us a huge void which we shall try to fill. We are committed to pursue his struggle.

May he rest in peace.

Perla Vaisburg

The death of Congressman Lantos is leaving a huge void.

Lantos was a unique figure in the US Congress. A Holocaust survivor and anti-Nazi underground fighter who was saved by the Swedish diplomat – Raoul Wallenberg.

He never forgot the legacy of his savior, always embracing the causes in favor of human rights.

As a distinguished member of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation he was the first to sign our petition – ”100,000 names for 100,000 lives”, in which we demand from the Russian authorities clear and credible answers about the fate and whereabouts of Wallenberg, who after saving 100,000 lives, was abducted by the Soviets, never to be seen again.

We shall deeply miss our dear Tom Lantos, the human being and the friend who has helped us in our mission to preserve and divulge the sacred legacies of the saviors of the Holocaust.

May his memory be blessed.

Danny Rainer
The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation

Tom Lantos was a champion of human rights.

It is fair to say that he was deeply influenced by Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who saved him from the Nazis, among other 100,000 Hungarian Jews.

Rep. Lantos never missed an opportunity to fight for human rights, and to instill into the younger generations the lessons of the Holocaust, while stressing the wonderful stories of the saviors.

He was a distinguished member of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation. As such, he has not only helped us in our educational programs, but was also instrumental in our struggle to find answers about the fate and whereabouts of Raoul Wallenberg, who disappearead 63 years ago.

We shall miss Tom Lantos dearly. Although he was 80 years old, his death was untimely. He had many more causes to fight for. We shall try to keep his legacy alive.

Prof. Jaime Krejner
The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation

Rep. Tom Lantos was a unique figure in the US Congress and world politics at large. His passing leaves a huge void.

Lantos, a Holocaust survivor who fought the Nazis alongside the Hungarian resistance, was eventually saved by Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who granted life-worth visas to 100,000 Hungaria Jews and ended-up abducted by the Soviets, never to be seen again.

It would be quite fair to say that Lantos had been deeply influenced by his savior. Human rights were at the top of his agenda, regardless of the forces he had to confront.

At the same time, Tom Lantos never forgot his debt to Wallenberg.

Back in the early 80’s, he propelled the bill that granted US honourary citizenship to his saviour.

About 10 years ago, he co-founded, together with the Argentinean Baruj Tenembaum, the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, an NGO devoted to preserve and divulge the feats of Raoul Wallenberg and his likes.

Lantos was the first to sign our campaign – ”100,000 names for 100,000 lives”, which demands from the Russian authorities credible answers about the fate of Wallenberg.

A few years ago, he led the US Congress decision to award recognition to Baruj Tenembaum, for his lifelong humanitarian work.

In a sense, Lantos’ death was premature. He was as passionate as a 20 year-old person. Always full of plans and ready to give a good fight for just causes. On the other hand, he dreamt all his life to secure answers about the whereabouts of Raoul Wallenberg. Sadly enough, he died without getting them.

We, his friends and colleagues at the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, pledge to take on Lantos’ legacy.

We shall miss him dearly.

May he rest in peace.

Danny Rainer
Honourary Vice-President
The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation
Jerusalem
Israel